Ford guys, what would you use? 302 or 351

Hey I'm working on a '55 Ford for a guy, complete resto, with some mild custom work. He's got a 351 with the ****** and a 302 with the ****** also, and wants me to decide for him which one to use. Both motors need a rebulid before they go in but, I want to hear your opinion too. I'm fond of the 302.
The only thing he's gonna tow on occasion, is a boat.

 

oh yeah....it's a truck

 

351, is it a Clevo or Windsor?? Find some of our Aussy heads for the 351 if its a Clevo and you have one hell of a motor at a good price.
Doc.

 

how you can use the 1955 truck, 302/351 engine, mild custom work and call it a restoration....302 would be my choice in upgrading drivetrain..virtually trouble free setup..keep it stock..keep it running.

 

There is no replacement for displacement.

 

I'd go with the 351. Just because it's slightly wider and small block fords always look lost under the hood of '50's Ford trucks.

 

For a truck without a doubt, the 351.

 

I can't see why the 302 is even a consideration if you have a choice between the two.

 

351 gonna rebuild anyways so STROKE that MUTHA to a 427. if its a Windsor. if its a cleveland go buy a boat and make yourself a nice anchor

 

351W makes up for the torque lost on the 302. Go with the larger engine.

 

if it's gonna be a driver....302. balance it, E7 heads, small cam. If it's a roller motor, the stock 5.0 ho cams are dirt cheap & work real well, just no "noticable idle" Snappy little motor, dirt cheap. driver that honks, 351, balance it, 268 cam, ported e7's will work, just run out of flow at about 4500. AFR / world products heads.....

just my .02

 

I just went and checked them both out for myself..the "351" has 351M/400 written on the v/c. But clearly states 400 cid. But either way.. I see where we're going...more cubes does sound good! But the 302 in my Merc had plenty of power to scoot that sled around, that thing screamed.

 

351 for sure. My old 78 Bronco had a 351M in it and it was a screamer

 

Many Ford guys dislike the 351/400M engines. They are a misunderstood engine even in the Ford world. Many refer to them as boat anchors. They have poor heads due to the emissions stuff of the times. I think they have the same potential oilling probs as the 351C.

For easy of fitment, parts availablility and other lesser reasons, I'd use the 302 over the 351/400M. Were it a 351C or a 351W I'd use those over the 302. But in this case, it's 302 all the way.

 

yeah its intersting, i've just spent a few minutes looking stuff up on the M motor, seems as though it has been woefully overlooked by many. They say that they have vast, untapped power potential, plus being lighter than big block and built correctly the output is comparable to most big blocks. Still though, how much moolaw is that going to cost vs. a *****in 302?

 

I'd go 302 over an M motor. Better and cheaper availability of good parts.

 

Hot Rod, Feb '07, had an article on stroking a 400 out using offset grinding, Chevy rods & 340 pistons. Ended up @ 431 CID, 505HP, &565 torque.

 

Another confused person.....

 

take that 351/400 modifyed motor and tell him to use it as an anchor for the boat hes pullin. 302 has so many more options as to how to build it and parts are more available and cheaper than a 351m. plus if hes gonna tow, hes gonna want a higher reving motor and ive turned both my 302's p***ed 6000 w/o blibking an eye. out of curiousity what trans's bare behind each. if hes not gonna spring for a new or different trans thats a big factor.

 

Ditto......The 351 windsor is nothing but a stroked 302.....Go with the cubes..........My uncle taught me that it's better to have more than not enough

 

Hmm...thats 9 of you for the 351M, and 5 for the 302...
Looks like bigger is better

 

If it's a 351M/400 - skip it. More expensive for not enough difference in power. Many sing their "unsung" praises, but they're "unsung" for a reason - they're ****. The 351M has a reputation for throwing rods - they're smog motors, pure & simple. Potential may be there, but practicality of building vs expense outweighs them both.

Go 302 anyday & twice on Sunday.

If you MUST use the 400 please buy a set of Aussie heads for it, do the standard 351C oiling mods, a good aluminum intake, & a split pattern cam heavily favoring the exhaust. It won't be cheap.

 

Go with the 302. The 351M and 400M have big open chamber heads that are prone to detonation. Not a good situatuion if he plans on towing. The M heads are also prone to cracks, check them before sticking any money into it!

 

I hear you Ernie, I'm pretty settled on the 302, I think we can create some serious power, good for towing anyway, and sumthin to burn tire with also. Plus...they make Cal-custom valve covers for the 302's now...

 

They've made those for years. I have set from the 60's.

 

really?...I'm blind

 

I would build a 302 instead of a 351M/400 anyday. The 302 has a ton of aftermarket support. Unless......you can trade the 351M for a 351W. All the good heads made for 302 fit a 351W.

Tracy

 

If it was between a 305 or a 350 ****vey you wouldnt ask and put the 350 in use the 351 no replacement for displacement

 

my bad i really ned to read the hole thread if its a M then s****it and use the 302 stroke ti and get 347 cui no thats fun

 

The 351W is a different block. Try stretching a 302 intake over a 351W. No matter, it's a 351/400M.

Build the 302, mild to wild. No matter how hot you build it, invest smart $$ in an aftermarket set of heads with 1.94/1.60 valves. If you want more cubes, stroke it.

Based on the 3 small block Fords I've been invloved with have made huuuuge gains with aftermarket heads (2-60's 289-302's and an 80's 351W)